Witty, alluring performer whose offbeat charm and amiability landed her a gig as an MTV VJ. Duffy's (aka "Duff" on-air) less-than-serious approach to her job quickly made her a favorite to viewers. Unlike many of her predecessors who quickly fell into obscurity, she diversified into commercials and feature appearances. She made her feature debut playing a "Crack Den Girl" in the Christopher Walken actioner "McBain" (1991). Her subsequent feature credits include small roles in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" (1991), "Who's the Man" (1993)--which also featured such MTV luminaries as Dennis Leary and Ed Lover--and "Reality Bites" (1994) in a cameo spoofing MTV's "The Real World". Duffy made her first substantial feature performance as a woman reminiscent of Mrs. Robinson ("The Graduate") in the Disney comedy "Blank Check" (1994).
- Also Credited As:
'Duff', Duff, Karen T. Duffy
- Born:
May 23, 1962 in New York City, New York, USA
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Job Titles:
Actor, Model, Video jockey, Writer, Social worker
Family
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Brother: James Duffy. born c. 1960
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Father: Phil Duffy.
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Mother: Carol Duffy.
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Sister: Kate Duffy. born c. 1964
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Sister: Laura Duffy. born c. 1968
Significant Others
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Companion: Dwight Yoakam. dated c. 1993-95
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Companion: Dwight Yoakam. dated c. 1993-95
Milestones
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1991 Feature acting debut, McBain
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1994 First film in a substantial role, Blank Check
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1996 Discovered to have a brain lesion which was eventually diagnosed as sarcoidosis of the central nervous system, a rare disease with an unknown cause; underwent treatment with steroids, cherotherapy and morphine
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1997 Disclosed her illness on The Oprah Winfrey Show in March
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1999 Co-starred in The 24 Hour Woman
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Named as a Revlon spokesmodel
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Signed a multi-picture deal with Disney
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Worked as an MTV VJ (video jockey)
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Worked for an old age nursing home (announcing Bingo) in NYC